FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance
As part of the FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance outreach and training, FEMA has created a training video for the public that they have put on YouTube. It gives details on how FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses that were incurred after January 20, 2020. The video can help provide information on the requirements and process of applying for assistance.
#FEMA: Providing Financial Assistance for COVID-19-Related Funeral Expenses Youtube video
We encourage you to look for more information on FEMA’s website

On April 12, 2021, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will officially begin accepting applications for funeral assistance for deaths that occurred as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The assistance will be offered similarly with normal funeral assistance claims following natural disasters. For a death to be considered for funeral assistance it must have occurred after January 20, 2020.
Eligible applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 or TTY: 800-462-7585 toll free, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. pacific time. Applicants must provide FEMA with a copy of the death certificate, proof of funeral expenses incurred and proof of funeral assistance received from any other source.
Assistance is available to U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals and qualified aliens such as green card holders, asylees, refugees, and others - who provide the required information and COVID related documents. Eligible applicants, living in the United States, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, will be reimbursed for up to $9,000 for each funeral.
Due to the large number of applicants expected and additional case work questions that may arise, FEMA established a funeral assistance task force and developed a process to handle all inquiries.
- Phone number: 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585
- Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. pacific time
Additionally, as new information and documents are made available they will be posted directly to the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance web page.
Currently on the page you will be able to find:
An additional resource available to Californian's is CalHOPE. CalHope is the statewide crisis counseling program that can help support the bereaved with mental health services as they navigate the funeral assistance program.
- Phone number: 833-317-HOPE (4673)
- Website: www.calhope.org/ CalHOPE Home
Individual assistance points of contact
Nicole Watanabe - Program Manager I, [email protected]
Region I & VI - Nicole Benson - Senior Emergency Services Coordinator, [email protected]
Region II - Katrina Palomar - Senior Emergency Services Coordinator, [email protected]
Region III - Becca Berggren - Emergency Service Coordinator, [email protected]
Region IV & V - Summer Wright - Emergency Service Coordinator, [email protected]

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